Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines



June 24, 1941. Y R. H. LAWSON 2,247,244

STRAND FEED-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE OR OTHER MACHlNES Filed June 28, 19390 4 sheets-sheet 2 AcHlNEs June 24, 19410 R. H. LAWSON CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE 0R OTHER M STRAND FEED- Filed June 28, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 june 24, 1941. R, H, LAWSQN 2,247,244

STRAND FEED-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE OR OTHER MACHINES File June 28, 1939 4 sneets-sheet 4 mechanism shown in Fig.` 1;

Patented June 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT I-Flcla STRAND FEED-communie MEonANrsnr ron TEXTILE on orrma MACHINES Robert H. Lawson, Pawtucket, R. li.,vassignor to Lawson Products, Inc., Pawtucket, R. I., a corporation oi* Rhode Island Appieauon .umaa 2s, 1939, serian No. zsifsci (ci. 4ca -raz,

55 "Claims This invention relates to strand feed-controL.

ling mechanism for textile fand other suitable machines and particularly to mechanism or controlling the feed of yarn, thread or other strands to the needles of knitting machines.

In order that the principle oi the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed two embodiments 'thereof in the accompanying drawings, whereinV Fig. 1 is .a side elevation oi' strand feed-controlling mechanism constituting the preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a viewV similar to Fig. 2,V but partly in section;

threads, yarns or strands may be fed in 'any desired relation, and for the making of many different types of knitted fabric.

Without in any respect confining mysel thereto, and the said use being merely selected by way of example, I will describe the mechanism as though the strand or strands were being fed to the needles of a knitting machine.

I will first refer to the preferred embodiment of the invention lrepresentedin Figs. 1 to 'l inclusive.

o 'Ihe mechanism, which is composed of comparaftively few and light parts compactly assembled, may be mounted at any suitable position upon 15 the machine in question, as, for example, upon a Fig. 4 is a left-hand end' elevation of the Fig. 5. is a right-nana end Aelevation mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail in side elevation showing stopmotion means associated in action with the 'strand-receiving guide arm, said arm being in the position assumed upon strand breakage;

Fig, 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but with the said guide arm in the position ,assumed inthe event of excessfced oi' the strand, due to drawing longer loops at the knitting needles:

df the,

. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the second embodii v ment of my invention, wherein upon strand breakage or discontinuance of .strand `feed the strand iswithdrawn vfrom between the toothed rotary members. o f

Fig. 9 is'a :left-hand end elevation generally similar to Fig. 4, but of the form ci my Ainvention L@shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a-riglit-'hand end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8: Fig. 11l is a detail in transverse section showing shield means to protect the strand, when withdrawn from between the toothed rotary v members upon strand breakage or discontinuance of strand feed; q .A y A Fig. 12 is a detail showing cam meansjunc`- tioning to withdraw thev strand from between the rotary toothed members upon strand lbreakage or discontinuance of strand feedand Fig. l is a detail mainly in perspective to show the right-angled or square-cornered ends of the teeth o1' the rotary members.

The strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile and other suitable machines is particularly adapted for. use in controlling the feed oi one or more ystrands to the needles of knitting machines. Obviously, howeven the knitting of the mechanism embodying my invention by gears,` I preferably provide a rope or band drive 3, the driving rope or band being received upon the sheavel in the. suitable groove. Inasmuch as the mechanism is to b e stopped quickly in the event of strand breakagefI iind it preferable to luse a drive, such as illustrated, that permits a slippage of parts without shock or Jar as .would occurl with the use of meshing gears. Moreover, the use ot a rope or band drive, constituting the preferred embodimentV of non-shock or iiexible driving means, permits me to` use strand-feeding gears having metal teeth for strand engagement, without risk oi the said teeth injuring the strand by what might otherwise be hammerlike blows upon the strand when the machine is started up,

and vtherein sudden demand upon the strand by' such machine or upon-.the sudden stoppage of the machine.

The shea've I is fast upon a stud shaft 5, it-

seit mounted in a suitable bearing in a bracket 8, best shown in Fig. 1. Fast upon the said`stud shaft 5 is a toothed wheel or rotary member l Preferably oi some very lightmetal., f The said rotary member 1, best shown in Figsi and 5, is ipreferably of suflicient width to permi'tfthe feeding of a pluralityof strands in contact therewith.

While inIjFig. 5 I have represented the feeding of two such strandai:isevidentthat my inventionl is not limited to theieeding ofonly two strands or of more than one strand.

Laterally extending from the bracket 6 is a two-part or spaced-membered arm 8 (best shown in Fig. 2) which has pivoted at each such part thereof at 9 a lever having an upper arm I6 and a lower arm II. Upon the lower end of each such arm II is loosely mounted at I2 a toothed wheel or rotary member I3 or I4. The teeth thereof are similar in general form to the teeth of the rotary member or wheel 1 and desirably the said rotary members I3, I4 are of the same material as the rotary member 1. The rotary members I3, I4, as bestshown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, are mounted side by side, preferably in slightly spaced relation, so as both to have an interengaging relation with teeth, tooth-like'formations or projections of the rotary member 'I. If more than two strands are to be fed to the same point, a corresponding Ynumber of lever arms would be provided, and if only one strand is -to be fed, a single lever arm would be provided. It will be noted that (viewing the several gures of the drawings, and especially Fig. 1 relating to the first embodiment, and Fig. 8 relating to the second embodiment) the toothed wheels I3, I4 are so supported by the respective lever arms I0, I6, II, I I from the pivot 9, which is directly above the said toothed wheels I3, I4, that the said toothed wheels are capable of and do have in action a wholly Iree and unrestrained and very sensitive pendulum-like action or movement upon their pivotal point or points of suspension, which is the pivot 9. The said pivot' 9 is a suitable, horizontal pin or stud-shaft located in the twopart arm 6 which laterally extends from the bracket 6, and the position of which arm 8 on the bracket 6 is carefully chosen for the purpose. The lever arms I6, I6 are directly acted on, above the pivot 9, by thc guide arms I8 for the strand or strands.

Assuming that two strands I 5, Ia are to be fed to needles of the knitting machine, as, for example, a circular hosiery machine, they are led from any suitable source and passing downward as indicatedat I5 in Fig. 1, they pass through respective guides I6, II, and then between the teeth of the wheels or rotary members 1, I3, I4, as indicated in Fig. 1, and also in Fig. 5.

The said strands I5, I5a., after passing between the tooth-like formations of the respective wheels or rotary members 1, I3, I4 pass upwardly as indicated in Fig. 1 to the respective strand-receiving guide arms I8, I8, one of said arms being shown in Fig. 1 and both of them being shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. The respective strands, after passing through the eyes or guiding formations of the respective guide arms, then continue down to the needles of the knitting machine.v

Each of the strand-receiving guide arms I8, I8, if two or other plurality thereof be employed,-is supported for movement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in the strand tension of the strand pertaining thereto, but with the capacity of greater movement in the event of strand breakage or strand discontinuance or in the event of such excessive feed of the strands, or one of them at the needles, as would result in stoppage of the mechanism.'

While any suitable construction may be provided for the purpose, I have, as best shown in Fig.. 1, provided an arm or Astandard I9 extending upward from the bracket 6. Upon the said arm or standard I9 is pivoted at 26 a cam member 2| for each strand, two such cam members therefore being shown and similarly indicated by reference characters. It will be observed that the functioning surface of each said cam member is at a constantly increasing distance from the pivotal point 20, viewing said cam member at the right hand edge thereof in Fig. 1.v Each strand receiving guide arm I8, I8 is' fixedly connected to a cam member ZI, so that there are as many guiding arms I8 and cam members 2| as there are strands being fed to the' knitting mechanism.

The upper end of each leverarm I0 is provided witha roll 22 bearing lightly upon the cam surface. of the corresponding cam member 2|.

In the event of slight but not excessive changes in the strand tension, and such as may normally very frequently occur, the corresponding guide arm I8, in the event that the change is a` slight increase in the tension, is drawn slightly downward and the cam member 2I is correspondingly slightly rocked in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 1. In other words, the tension upon the strand is maintained substantially uniform Vin spite of slight irregularities in the machinedemand upon the strand-from any cause, and which may be the result of inevitable slight irregularities at more or less frequent intervals, or may be due to changes in the demand of the machine for the feeding of the strand, as, for example, in cases elsewhere specified herein, or, for example, in the use of knitting machines where the strand may at times be fed to the entire series of needles, and at other times to less than all the needles, as Where (in the case of a rib knitting machine) the strand is sometimes fed to all the needles (cylinder and dial) and at other times only to the dial or to the cylinder needles. By my invention, if there are any changes in the demand of the machine for the strand, these changes in demand are responded to by the strand-feeding mechanism, with the result that the tension on the strand -is maintained substantially uniform at all times. Such slight clockwise movement of the cam member 2I causes a slight outward movement of the corresponding lever arm I0 with corresponding slight inward movement of the lever arm I I, thus moving the teeth or tooth-like formations of the Wheel or rotary member I3 or I4, as the case may be, into deeper interengaging or meshing relation with the teeth or tooth-like formations of the wheel or rotary member 1. This slightly increases the feed of the stra-nd in question, and therefore relieves the undue tension, so that the substantially uniform tension 'is-maintained.

In the event that said slight change inthe tension of -a strand is a diminution of tension, the corresponding arm I8 will move slightly upward and consequently the cam member 2| would move slightly in a contraelockwise direction, with such movement of the corresponding lever arms II) and II as to withdraw the teeth of the wheel or rotary member I3 or I4, as the case may be, slightly outward with respect to the teeth of the wheel or rotary member 'I. This would cause the slower feeding of the strand in question, and so permit the corresponding arm I8 to resume its normal, level position, so that in this case also the substantially uniform tension is maintained. This movement of the toothed Wheels or members I3, I4 into deeper or less deep meshing relation with .the toothed rotary member I facilitated bythe wholly free and unrestrained p endulum-like mounting of the levers I0, II at the pivot 9. Therefore, the said rotary members with their teeth or tooth-like formations constitute in 'effect a new or secondary or rectified source of v supply 'in a condition of uniform tension of the strand or strands to the knitting machineu or other mechanism where the strand or strands is or are) to be used or accumulated, whereas the strand or strands between the original packages or supplies, such as spools or bobbins, is or may Aloe in a condition of constantly, though slowly,

changing tension, owing to numerous possible causes, such as imperfect,winding upon the original package or'packages or the position of such package or packages as the strands are drawn therefrom. 'Ihe strand or strands issue from the outgoing side of the said vrotary members in condition of uniform tension and are delivered to the knitting machine or other mechanism in a condition of uniform tension.

` Thus, there is prv vided by said rotary members a source of supply (a new or substitute or rectied source off supply) which is independent of the primary or original source of supply in that it does3 not have the inequalities of tension of the former. Said new source of supply controls completely the tension of the strand or strands independent of the original source or sources of supply, in that it is not affected by the inequalities of tension of the original supply, and those inequalities of tension of the original supply are not permitted at' any time to impose themselves upon or to impair the uniform tension that exists between the outgoing side of the said rotary mem- `bers and the knitting machine or other mechanism -that receives the said strand or strands.

Said rotary members and the immediately co-v operating vparts create or provide such new' or substitute or rectified source of supply, which possesses the capacity to feed or not to .feed the strand or strands (see especially Figs. B, 9, 10 yet to be described) as may be desired, without any mechanical connection between them and the knitting machine or other mechanism where the strand or strands is or are to be used. e

Thus far the mechanism has been described as a means for correcting or compensating `for or rectifying the slight irregularities in the yarn feed, this being accomplished by causing the strand or strands to take a more or less sinuous course between the teeth or tooth-like` formations of the-wheels or rotary members 1, I3, I4. Ihave pr vided means in addition thereto to stop the mechanism in. the event that a strand breaks or suddenly feeds at suenan excessive rate due to the needles drawing longer loops, or like cause,

as to require stoppage of themechanism untilcorrection can bemade.- I have for this purpose associated with the mechanism thus far described stopping means, preferably of electrical character. While for this purpose I may provide any suitable means, I 'have preferably employed a switch indicated at 23 in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, and which may be a snap switch of the general construction shown in the patent-to McGall, No. 1,960,020, May 22, 1934. The said switch or other suitable device for the purpose is supported fixrtioned with respect to the metallic spring strip i25 that in whichever direction the corresponding cam member 2| swings excessively (that is, due to the strand breaking or suddenly feeding excessively and making longer loops) the said pin v2li will depress the metallic spring strip 25 soas to cause it to touch the contact 26. These two movements each resulting in causing the strip 25 to touch the contact 2B, are respectively illustrated in Figslii Iand 7. In Fig. 6, it will be observed athat the pin 28 has moved over 'to the left of the pivotal point of the cam member 2|, whereas in Fig. 'l the said-pin 28 has moved over to the rig-ht of the said pivot 20. In the movement shown fn Fig. 6, the arm I8 has suddenly moved excessively upward due Lto the' strand breaking, whereas in Fig. 7 the `arm i8 has suddenly been moved excessively downward, due to the strand suddenly being drawn into larger l-oops,l`through some cause. Either of these conditions causes the spring strip 25 to be forced in-to touching relation with .the contact 26 and so causes the stoppage of the mechanism through suitable -connections not herein necessary to illustrate.

The second form odi my invention, which isshown in Figs. 9 .to 12, may be and desirably is similar or the s-ame as what is shown in Figs. l to 7, with the exception that instead ofproviding stop motion means, I provide means acting upon strand breakage or feeding discontinuance of the unbroken strand for a longer or shorter period as, for example, in horizontal striping in a hosiery or other knitting machine, Ato withdraw the strand in question from between the teeth or tooth-like` formations of the wheel, or rotary member 'I and the wheel or rotary member I3 or I 4, as the case may be. Thus I provide means l controlled wholly by the strand itself, not only to vary the feed of the strand by .the toothed member s,'but also in proper cases to interruptthe4r feed ofv .thestrand by the said' toothed members, all according to the machine demand for said strand, whereby the feeding .of said strandis in entireaccord with the machine dem-and therefor. Therefore, I have appliedy the same reference characters 'to corresponding parts, and it is unnecessary to refer theretoin detail. Instead of providing stop motion means coopera-ting with the cam members 2|, I have provided means preferably associated therewith for withdrawing Whatever strand may break or be discontinued for any reason-whatsoever from betweenthe teeth or tooth-like formations of the wheels cooperating therewith. For this purpose, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 12, I'h'ave provided on -a side face of each cam member l2| a member 28 desirably of arcuate form, and also set at an angle to the face of the correspon-ding cam member 2|, als best indicated in Fig. 12, I provide such a member 29 for each' of the cam members 2|, as is clearly apparent from Figs. 9 and 10.

1 Cooperating with each" member 29 is a lever edly by a bracket 24 fromthe upright or arm I9 centrally with respect to each cam member 2|, as shown in Fig. 2, if two cam members are employed. A part of the said switch comprises a metallic spring strip 25, and a suitable contact 26.* The said snap switch is wired as indicated generally at 2`I to a solenoid or other mechanism or device, not illustrated, for stopping the knitting/ machine `or other machine to which the st'ands are' being fed.- i

'Upon a lateral face of each cam `member 2| is an inwardly projecting pin 28 which is so DOSI- preferably of light wire indicated at 30 and pivoted at' 3| upon the'bi'acket 6. The lower-end f' gileachgleve'r 30 has an eye 32 through which the a trand passes. 'I'he levers 30 'are normally drawn )toward each other at their upper ends bytwo ight coiled springs 33 under tension, being sepin 34 on the Vcured to said levers 30 and to a arm or standard I9. i

It will be evident that when a cam member 2| is moved to an excessive extent in a contra-clockwise direction and the corresponding guide arm I8' flies upward, due tothe breaking or discontinuance for any reason, as, for example, for horizontal striping in knitting of the strand, the broken or discontinued strand is by the corresponding lever laterally withdrawn from between the teeth or tooth-like formations of the rotary members 1 an-d I3 or I4, as the case may be, the shape of the member 29 permitting this movement. When so withdrawn, the broken or discontinued strand is guarded, by a shield fastened upon the bracket, from entangling with the wheel 1 or any other moving part. Preferably the Wheel 1 is annui-arly grooved as at 36 .to receive the edge of the shield 35.

When the broken strand has been .repaired or it is desired to reint-roduce the discontinued strand which has been temporarily withdrawn from action or use for any purpose, as, for example, in effecting horizontal striping in knitting, and the guide arm I8 has been returned to norm-a1 position, the eye 32\ of lthe corresponding lever 30 will cause the feeding strand to re-enter laterally between the teeth of the Wheels or members 1 and I3 or I4, as .the case may be.

It is to be understood that my invention is applicable not only to the lateral withdrawing of a broken strand, but also to the lateral withdrawal of an intact strand for any purpose, as,

for example, .to `permit the feeding of another strand for horizontal striping in knitting or to permit the knitting to continue with .the remaining strand, which would cause a horizontal striped condition. Or it may be for the purpose of floating a thread or str-and past some of the knitting needles, as in the knitting of a high splice,` and then reintroducing the same strand after a long/er or shorter time. In fact there are manyfuses/to which thisportion of my invention may be put in knitting operations. Within the scope of my invention anintact strand may be laterally withdrawn and then reinserted. My invention in this respect is broad and is not limited to lthe lateral withdrawal of an intact strand.

I have discovered that the ends of the teeth or tooth-like formations of the Wheels: or gears, such as 1, I3 and I4 must `be square or right angled, as indicated in Figs. 9, 10 and 1'1, and also as shown in Fig. 13,-to permit .the Ithreadl or strand to be introduced or reintroduced laterally. I have found it to be impossible to introduce or reinout.` at least flush with the face at each end of each wheel or member 1, I3, I4. If the parts be so constructed, the thread or strand, if .presented at the end face of a wheel 1, I3 or |14, wiilbe taken in immediately by the rotating teeth, or substantially so.

Referringto the numerous figures of the drawings, and particularly Fig. 13, which shows upon a larger scale the sha-pe of the teeth (represented in Figs. 4, 5, 9, 10 and 1-1) of the rotary members or gears 1, I3, I4, I have in Fig. 13 indicated at 1a and I3a respectively the top or ridge of each tooth, this being the part of each tooth that ,is most remote radially from the center of rotation of .the 'respective rotary members or gears 1, I3, I4. Such top or ridge 1a or I3a is a straight lineterminating at, and bounded at its ends by, the end walls of the teeth, one of which ends I have indicated at 1b or I3b. The other end Wall of each tooth is, in these embodiments of the invention, similar to the end wall 1b or I3b (that is to say, it is preferably parallel or substantially parallel thereto), in other words, an active end wall does not recede or extend toward the other end wall at the toothed corners of the periphery, since that would constitute a tapering-or conical end which is not effective for the purpose of my invention. The end walls 1b or I3b of all the teeth of each rotary member or gear, in the disclosed embodiment of the invention, lie al1 in the same plane, which is desirably substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the respective v gears 1, I3, I4. This construction is desirably employed at and is shown at both ends of the several rotary members or gears, even though the entrance and withdrawal of a strand occur only at one end of the teeth of the gear or rotary member I3 or I4, with respect to which, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 12, the strand I5 (Fig. 10) is entered and withdrawn at one side of the gear 1 and the strand I5a. at the other side. As just stated, in the case of the rotary members or gears I3 and I4, said strands enter at the respective opposite sides 'of the rotary members or gears I3, I4. My invention is, therefore, not limi-ted to employing the described construction at both ends of all the rotary members or gears, but such is the preferred construction.

Assuming that a strand I5 or I 5a has been laterally withdrawn from between the tee-th ofthe construction described, or that such strand is to be initially introduced laterally between 4the teeth, it is .evident that what I have referred to as square or right yan-gled corners of the teeth, (and which is the meeting point of ythe top or ridge of a tooth, and the end wall of a tooth, which point should notbe back of the rest of the face constituting the end Wall), will grab any strand.

there presented, provided, of course, that the strand is not presented exactly perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the rotary members, such as 1 and I3 or 1 and I4, as it could not then obtain an entrance. The strand being presen-ted at an inclination to such axes of rotation is instantly grabbed by the meshing teeth of the rotary members 1 land I3 or 1 and I4, as the case may be, and flows, as it were, or Itravels along the tops or ridges of the meshing teethto a more or less cen-tral position between the end walls of the tee-th, as indicated by the position of either eye 32 in Fig. 9. The strand that is at some part of its extent, between an eye 32 and the companion eye I8, laterally beyond the end of the teeth,but which, somewhere between such eyes 32 and I8, touches a corner of a tooth, is instantly seized by the corner of such tooth, since the strand does not lie precisely parallel to a plane surface lcoinciding with the end walls of the teeth at the end of a rotary member, such as 1 and I3 or 1 and I4, but is inwardly inclined because of the relative position of the companion eyes 32 and I8 pertaining to that strand, and the said corners; that is, the tops or ridges I3a of the teeth close to the end wall I3'. thereof suddenly engage the strand so presented to them, with the result that the said strand is immediately fed to the knitting or other mechanism by the continued rotation of the rotary members 1 and I3 or 1 and I4, as the case may be.

The described structure, therefore, is such that the teeth of the rotary member, such as 1, I3, I4, take sudden bites of such strand, which therefore causes the strand to enter quickly between such rotary members and facilitates its movements laterally along the tops or ridges of the teeth to a. more or less central position between the lateral faces of the rotary members considered as a whole.

The action just described will be evident from y .a consideration of Fig. 10. The strand I or I5a to the axes of rotation of the members or gears 1,. I3 and I4. Whernthe cam 2l (Fig. 8) moves in a direction to cause the cam wire 2-9 on cam 2| to press the eye 32 of that lstrand inwardly (that is, toward a line passing through the eye I3 and eye I8, and cutting the axes 'of rotation of the three members or gears 1, I3, Il-at right angles to such axes, and more or less midway between the ends of the teeth of such members). it is evident that the portion of the said strand between such eye I8 and such eye 32, which is companion thereto,i is presented to the teeth of the rotary members 'I and I3 or 'I and I4, as the case may be, in a path which is oblique to and not perpendicular to the said end walls of the said rotary members or gears.

It has been proposed by others to provide markedly tapered ends upon a, pair 'of furnishing non-toothed rollers for the purpose of permitting a guiding arm or part to place the yarn or strand in the open space between the said tapered ends of said rollers for the purpose of having the cylindrical portions of such rollers then seize upon and feed the yarn or strand. Such structure would not `carry out the' purposes of my invention, even though the said rollers between the cylindrical parts were provided with teeth. I have discovered that tapered ends of toothed rolls, or smooth rolls with or without tapered ends, -tend to cam the strand away from the said rolls instead of grabbing it in, as is done by the construction of the parts described by me, particularly with reference to Fig. 13, and Figs, 9, 10, 11. In prior-structures, it has been proposed when using smooth surfaced rollers having conical ends, to pam the yarn through sweeps in addition to drawing the strand mechanically between the conical ends of the rollers. The presence of such sweeps indicates that the strand does not Quickly and readily enter between the smooth conical ends.

Bv the employment of the construction above described as an embodiment of my invention, and

having what I may briey and generally refer to. as the souare cornered teeth or strand seiiringl corners, I am enabled to do away with mechanical means for throwing the strand between the furnishing rotary members andalso to do without any such sweeps, inasmuch as the said corners of theteeth immediately grab any strand presented, as fully described by me in connection l with Figs. 9 to 13.

It will be evident from ,the foregoing description and from the figuresmf the drawings (particularly Figs. 1 and 8)' that the entire control mechanism is built light and with the heavier parts thereof kept close to center,v with the result of reducing inertia particularly when starting, since in such case the strand (for example, in the case of. theyarn of aknitting machine) is thrown into the knitting machine while the knitting machine ,is running at full speed. In such case, it is necessary for the arm I8 to come down to the position where it will provide for feeding enough yarn smoothly without overthrowing.

The Lstrand speed-controlling mechanism herein disclosed feeds the strand at a substantially 5 uniform tension throughout its range reg-ardless of the machine demand for or upon the strand.

In other words (as in the case of a knitting machine), as the knitting machine demands more yarn, the guide-arm I8 moves downward, causing 10 the gears or toothed members l, I3, I4 to mesh more deeply, and thereby to feed more yarn. As the machine demand -is diminished, the guide arm I8 moves upward, allowin-g the said gears or toothed members to. move into less deep mesh, thus feeding less yarn. The said guide arm IB is so balanced, as will be evident from the drawings, thatv it applies substantially' the same tension td the yarn throughout its motion, so that, so faras ,i

the yarn tension i-s concerned, it is substantially the same whether the said guide arm I3 is in a clow position or is in a high position, or, in other words, whether it is feeding more or less yarn.

The mechanism at all times maintains a substantially uniform tension in spite of slight irregul-arities in the demand of the yarn (that is, in

spite of the demand of the knitting machine upon the yarn). The tension is therefore the same reg-ardiess of the precise character of the machine demand for the yarn.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that I have provided strand feed-controlling Q strand to a machine for use according to the v demand of such strand by the machinetogether with means to drive alt least one of the said l toothed members suchas 'I and I3 or 'land I4, in n this embodiment of the invention, solong a's the knitting machine or other machine is itself be- 49 ing driven, whether or not the demand of the knitting machine, or other machine, for the strand is interrupted, together with means controlled'wholly by the said strand itself to Vvary and also to interrupt the feed ofthe said strand l5/.by :the said toothed members, accordingv to the machine demand for said strand, whereby the feeding of said strand is in entire accord with 1 the machine-'demand therefor. v

It will also be evident from the foregoing de- 50 scription .that my invention comprehends strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines wherein there is a set of toothed members for feeding the strand with controlled tension independent at all times of the primary source of supply, said set of toothed members being capable of varied meshing relation, thereby to maintain said controlled tension in accordance with the strand demands of the machine to which the strand is fed by said mechanism, and indestrand, at least oneof the said toothed members provided which is delicately responsive to inevitable slight irregularities of the machine demandc upon the feeding4 strand, for automatically controlling said meshing relation of said toothed members, in accordance with ithe strand demand of said machine, Ito maintain such tension substantialiy uniform. I-

I t will be evident from the foregoing description, and particularly from the description and illustration of the second embodiment of my invention, but to themechanical detail-s whereof my invention is not limited, that I have provided 5 strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile and pendent of the primary source of supply of said of the set being power driven, means being also other machines, comprising or including a set of meshing toothed members for feeding between them the strand to a machine for use, according to the demand for use of such strandl by said machine, with means to drive at least one of v said toothed members so long as the machine is being driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted, the strand itself controlling the variation in the feed by said toothed members in suitable manner, of which I have herein shown certain embodiments, and also interrupting or stopping the feed of the strand by said toothed members, according to the machine demand for the strand, whereby the feeding or`non-feeding of the strand is in entire accord with the machine demand therefor, the said strand, when not fed by the toothed members being positioned in consequence of the cessa- -tion of the machine demand, in such relation to the teeth of thesaid feeding members that it is not, when in such relation, fed by them so long as the said cessation in machine demand for the yarn continues.

My invention may be used for other widely -varying purposes and in other relations than herein stated. While an important use of my invention is in connection with knitting machines, my invention is not restricted to that use, as it may be used in other types of textile machines, such as winding machines, etc.

Having thus described two embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile and other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary, toothed, intermeshing members for feeding a strand between them, at lea-st one of said members being driven: the teeth of said members each having a top or ridge bounded at one end at least thereof by an end wall of the tooth, such end walls of the teeth of each of said toothed members constituting an encircling series of rotary strand-seizing corners: and guiding means to present a strand yat such teeth corners for immediate seizure thereby and consequent immediate feeding by such intermeshing teeth of said members to the textile or other machine.

2. A combination according to claiml in which the guiding means presents a strand from a position laterally beyond co-acting faces of said members at such teeth corners thereof.

3. A combination according to claim l in which the guiding mean-s presents a strand from a posi.. tion laterally beyond co-acting faces of said members at such teeth corners thereof, and effects the withdrawal of the strand laterally from between the said teeth by reverse movement of said guiding means.

4. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile and other machines. comprising in combination. a set of rotary, toothed, intermeshing members for feeding a strand between them, at least one of said members being driven; the teeth of said members each having -a top or ridge bounded at one end at least thereof by an end wall of the teeth. each such end wall of the teeth constituting a rotary-member plane-surface lying substantially normal to the axes of the respective rotary members. to constitute strand-seizing corners, and guiding means to present a strand at such yteeth corners at an inclination to the axes of said members for immediate seizure thereby and consequent immediate feeding by such intermeshing teeth of said members, to the textile or other machine.

5. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile and other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary, toothed, intermeshing members for feeding a strand between them, at least one of said members being driven; the teeth of said members each having a top or ridge bounded at one end at leastthereof by an end wall of the teeth, each such end wall of the teeth constituting a rotary-member plane-surface lying substantially normal t0 the axes of the respective rotary members, to constitute strand seizing corners, and guiding means to present a strand from a position laterally beyond co-acting plane faces of said members at such teeth corners thereof, at an inclination to the axes of said members, for immediate seizure thereby and consequent immediate feeding by such intermeshing teeth of said members, to the textile or other machine.

6. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile and other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary, toothed, intermeshing members for feeding a strand between them, at least one of said members being driven; the teeth of said members each having a top or ridge bounded at one end at least thereof by an end wall of the teeth, each such end wall of the teeth constituting a rotary-member plane-surface lying substantially normal to the axes of the respective rotary members, to constitute strandseizing corners; and guiding means to present a strand from a position laterally beyond co-acting plane faces of said members at such teeth corners thereof, at an inclination to the axes of said members, for immediate seizure thereby and consequent immediate feeding by such intermeshing teeth of said members, to the textile or other machine, said guiding means eifecting the withdrawal of the strand laterally from between the said teeth by reverse movement of said guiding means. Y

'7. Strand feed-,controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of interengaging ,toothed members for feeding the strand between and by such interengaging teeth to a machine for use according to the machine demand for strand use, as indicated by said strand stress or tension; means to drive at least one of said toothed members so long as such machine is being driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted; and movable means equally delicately responsive to slight inevitable irregularities in strand stress or tension, and also to sudden, entire, brief cessations of machine demand for the strand while intact, so as in the case of such slight irregularities to vary said intermesh- 4ing toothed relation and in the case of such brief cessations to interrupt wholly during such cessations the feeding of the strand by said toothed members.

8. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of interengaging toothed members for feeding the strand between and by such interengaging teeth to a machine or.use according to the machine demand for strand use, as indicated by said strand stress or tension; means to drive at least one of said toothed memb'ers so long as such machine is being driven, whether or "not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted; and movablei means equally delicately responsive to slight inevitable irregularities in strand stress or tension, and also to sudden, entire, brief cessations ol' machine demand for the strand ,While intact, so as in the case of such slight irregularities to vary said .intermeshing toothed relation and in the case of such brief cessations to interrupt wholly during such cessations the feeding of the strand by said toothed members, and upon the termination of each brief cessation to resume the feeding of the strand by said toothed members, all in response to the said-l indications of machine demand given by the strand itself. y

9. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for tex'- tile or other machines comprising in combination, a set :if interengaging, cylindrical, toothed, flat sided members for feeding the strand between and by such interengaging teeth to a machine for use according to the machine demand for strand use, as indicated by said strand stress or tension ;w means to drive at least one of said toothed, cylindrical members so long as such machine is 'being driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted; and movable means equally delicately responsive to slight inevitable irregularities in strand stress or tension, and also to sudden, entire, brief cessations of machine demandfor the strand While in use, so as in the case of such slight irregularities to vary the extent of the intermeshing relationof said teeth, and in the case of such brief cessations to withdraw the strand at such sides of the cylindrical members, and upon the termination of each such brief cessations to return the said strands between the interengaging teeth at such flat sides. all in response tothe said indications of machine demand given by the strand itself'.

10. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for -textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of-rotary, toothed, interengagingA members for feeding a strandor strands between the teeth of said members, at least one of said members being driven, a strand-receiving guide arm or arms supported for movement to and fro in unrestrained, free response to the stress or tension of the strand that is indicative of the machine demand for the strand, and means cooperatingly related and connected to said guide arm, and therefore entirely controlled by such stress or tension of the strand, and acting upon entire cessation of machine demand 'to move the strand to a position with respect to the teeth of said interengaging members where in such position said strand is not fed by said toothed members during such cessation of machine demand.

11. Strand feed-controlling mechanism .for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of interengaging, toothed members for feeding the strand between and by such interengaging teeth feeding the strand to a machine for use according to the demand7 for use of such strand by said machine as indicated by strand stress or tension; means to drive at least one of said toothed members so long as such machine is beingl driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted; and means unrestrainedly controlled by the strand itself, in response to the machinedemand-indicating stress or tension of the strand, to vary the feed of the strand by correspondingly varying the toothed relation of said feeding members, and also to interrupt the feed of the strand by said members, whereby the 75 varied feeding and also the non-feeding of said v strand by said members is in entire accord with 13. Strand feed-controlling lmechanism forv 10 textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of interengaging, toothed members for feeding the strand between and by such interengaging teeth to a machine for use according to the demand for use of such strand by said machine as indicated by strand stress or tension;

means to drive at least one of said toothed membersso long as such machine is being driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted; and means unrestraingb edly controlled by said strand itself,`in response to the machine-demand-indicating stress or tension of the strand, to interrupt the feeding of said strand by said toothed members upon entire cessation, temporary or otherwise, of machine demand for said strand.

f 14. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of interengaging, toothed members for feeding the strand between and by such in'- terengaging teeth to a machine for use according to the demand for use of such strand by 'said machine as indicated by strand stress or tension; means to drive at least one of said toothed members so long as such machine is being driven,

whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted; and means unrestrainedly controlled by the strand itself, in response to the machine-demand-indicating stress or tension of the strand, to remove 'the said strand -m from between the said toothed members upon entire cessation, temporary or otherwise, of machine demand for the'strand.

15. Strand feed-controlling. mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of toothed members for feeding strand with controlled tension independent at all times of the primary source of supply, said members being capable of varied meshing relation, thereby to maintain said controlled tension in accordance with the strand demand of the machine to which the strand is fed by said mechanism, and independent of the primary source of supply of said strand, at least one of said members being power driven; and means movably mounted for sensitive response to inevitable slight irregularities in the machine-demand upon, and consequent stress of the feeding strand and also to cessation of machine-demand, for automatically controlling said meshing relation of said members, -in accordance with the stranddemand of such' machine, to maintain such ten sion substantially uniform and forl withdrawing the strand from lfeeding relation to the said feeding members upon cessation of machinedemand for the strand.

16. Strand 'feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, aset of toothed members for feeding strand with controlled tension independent at 7o all times of the primary source of supply, said members being capable of varied meshing rela-l tion, thereby to maintain said controlled tension in accordance with the strand demand of the machine to which the strand is fed by said me'chanism, and independent of the primary source of supply of said strand, at least one of said members being power driven; movably mounted means sensitively responsive to changesl in the stress of the strand and to cessations of the strand itself, for automatically governing said meshing relation of said members, in accordance with the strand demand of such machine, to maintain such tension substantially uniform and for eecting anon-feeding relation of thel strand and the said feeding members upon cessation of machine-demand for said strand.

17. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of metallic-toothed members for feeding the strand to the machine for use according to the demand for use of such strand by said machine; belt driving means to drive directly one only of said metallic-toothed members so long as such machine is being driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand -is interrupted, whereby injury of the strand by the'said metallic teeth is prevented; and movably mounted means sensitively responsive to changes in stress of and to cessations of the said strand itself, to interrupt the feeding of the strand by the said metallic-toothed members upon cessation of machine-demand for the strand, and also to vary the feed of said strand by the said metallic-toothed members, according to variations in the machine-demand for the strand, whereby the feeding or non-feeding of said strand is in entire accord with the machine demand therefor.

18. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of metallic-toothed members including a directly driven member and a co-acting feeding member for together, feeding the strand to the machine for use according to the demand for use of such strand by said machine, nonshock driving means to drive directly one only of said metallic-toothed members so long as such machine is being driven, whether or not the dc mand of the machine for the strand is interresponsive to changes in the stress of the strand l itself, according to the machine-demand for the strand and to cessations in the machine-demand for the strand, to control, by varying or by terminating. the feeding of the strand by said metal1ictoothed members, according as the ma.

chine-demand variesy or ceases.

19. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for.

textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of metallic-toothed members including a directly driven member and a co-acting feeding member for together feeding the strand to the machine for use according to the demand for use of such strand by said machine, non shock -driving means to drive directly one only of said metallic-toothed members so long as such machine is being driven, whether or not the demand of the machine for the strand is interrupted. whereby injury of the strand by the said metallic teeth is prevented, and movably mounted means on which is supported the said co-acting feeding member, said movably mounted means being controlled wholly by and sensitively responsive to entire cessations, temporary or otherwise, in the stress of the strand itself. to interrupt the feeding of the said strand by Cir said metallic-toothed members upon entire cessation, temporary or otherwise, of machinedemand for said strand.

20. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said members being driven; a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro ,consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension; an element having a cam surface, which element is operatively connected with said guide arm and moved by strand-tension movements of said guide arm; and operative connections between said cam surface of said element and one 'of said rotary, toothed members for effecting (without unmeshing said teeth) a change in the depth of mesh of the teeth of said rotary mem-- bers consequent upon movement of said cam surface, so as to compensate for the said variations in strand tension whereby the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension as long as .it is engaged by said teeth, said operative connections between the cam surface and one of the rotary'toothed members including means to support such rotary toothed member for pendulum movement with respect to another toothed member of said set to change the depth of mesh of the teeth.

21. Strand feed-cntrolling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a pair of'gears having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed 0f said strand so long as it is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said gears being driven; a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension; an element having a cam surface, which element is operatively connected with said guide arm and moved by strand-tension movement of said guide arm; and operative connections between said cam surface of said element and one of said intermeshing gears for effecting (without unmeshing said teeth) a change in the depth of meshing relation of said gears consequent upon movement of said cam surface, so as to compensate for the said variations in strand tension whereby the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension as long as it is engaged by said teeth, said operative connections between the cam surface and one of the said gears including a lever carrying such gear, the pivot of said lever being substantially directly over said gear, so that said lever and gear may swing with a pendulum-like movement with respect to the other gear o'f the pair to change the depth of mesh of the teeth.

22. Strand .feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which 'entirely control the feed of a plurality of strands so long as engaged by said interengaging teeth, at least one member of the said set being driven; a corresponding plurality of strand-receiving guide arms supported for movement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand-tension; a corresponding plurality of elements having cam surfaces. which elements are operatively connectedwith said guide arms respectively and able guide arm and operated by excessive movemoved by strand-tension movements of said guide arms respectively; and operative connections between each said cam surface of an element and one of said rotary toothed members, for effecting a change in the interengaglng relation of certain of said rotary members consequent upon movement of said cam surfaces respectively, so as to compensate for the said variations in strand tension.

23. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising. in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said members being driven; one of said members being supported for pendulum-like movement toward and from another of said set; a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension for yeecting through such pendulum-like movement (without unmeshing said teeth) a change in the depth of mesh of said teeth, whereby the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension so long as it is engaged by said teeth, and stop motion means operatively connected with said to and fro movable guide ment of said arm, to stop the mechanism.

26. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing Vteeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged by said interarm and operated by excessive movement of said arm, to stop the mechanism.

24. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for p textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said members being driven: one of saidmembers being supported for pendulum-like movement toward and from another of said set: a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to andfro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension for effecting through such pendulum-like 'movement (without unmeshing saidvteeth) a change in the depth of mesh of said teeth, whereby the strand is constantly fed vmeshingieeth, at least one of said members being driven; one of said members being supported for pendulum-like movement toward and from another of said set;' a 'strand-receiving guide arm. supported for movement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension for eecting through such pendulum-like movement (without unmeshing said teeth) a change in the depth of mesh of said teeth, whereby the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension so long as it is engaged by said teeth. and electrical stop motion means operatively connected with said to and fro movable guidearm and operated by excessive movement of said arm, Ato stop the mechanism; and an element having a cam surface, which element is operatively connected with said guide arm and movable therewith and acting to actuate said electrical stop motion means upon excessive movement of said arm. I

27. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshlng teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of saidL members being driven; one of said members being supat a uniform ltension so long as itis engaged by said teeth, and stop motion means operatively connected with said to and fro movable guide arm and operated by excessive movement of said arm, to stop the mechanism, and an element having a cam surface, which element is operatively connected with said guide arm and moved by the movement of said guide arm to operate said stop motion means.

25. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said members being driven; one of said members being supported for pendulum-like movement toward and from another of said set: a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension for effecting through such pendulum-like movement (without unmeshingy by said teeth, and electrlcalstop motion means.

operatively connected with said to and fro mvvvported for pendulum-like movement toward and from another of said set; an element having a cam surface, said element having an attached strand-receiving guide arm mounted for movement consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand-tension for effecting through such pendulum-like movement(without unmeshing said teeth) a change in the depth of mesh of said teeth, whereby'the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension so long as it is engaged by said teeth, and stop motion means: and connections to operate said stop motion means upon excessive movement of the said cam surface.

28. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combi-v nation, a pair of intermeshing` gears, one of which is mounted for pendulum-like movement toward and from the pivot of the other, and which gears are adapted to feed the strand between them; a to and fro movable strand receiving guide arm mounted for such movement consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension so as to vary through said pendulum-like movements the depth of mesh of the teeth of said gears whereby, without unmeshing said teeth, the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension so long as it is engaged by said teeth; and stop motion means operatively associated with said guide arm to stop the mechanism upon excessive movement of said guide arm.

29. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination. a set of rotary, toothed, interengaging members for feeding the strand between them, at leastone of said members beingdriven; a strand-receiving guide arm supported formovement to and fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension; an element and acting to withdraw the strand from between said rotarymembers.

34. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary. toothed, interengaging members for feeding the strand between them,

at least one of said members being-driven; a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro consequent vupon vcomparatively slight variations in strand tension; means active 'upon strand breakage or other discontinuance .to withdraw the strand laterally from between 30. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary, toothed, interengaging members for feeding the strand between them. at least one of said members being driven; a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro in entirely free and unrestrained response to comparatively slight, frequent, inevitable .changes 'in4 the stress or tension of the strand, and operatively positioned with relation to said members to correct for' such stress or tension changes by varying the meshing relation of the teeth of said members, and also withdrawing the strand from between said members upon cessationv of machine-demand and the consequent entire ceasing of yarn stress upon said guide arm. J

31. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textileor other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary, toothed, interengaging members .for feeding the strand between them, at least.. one ofsaid members being driven; a strand-receiving 'guide arm supported for movement to'and -fro in entirely free and unrestrained response to: comparatively slight, frequent, inevitable changes inthe stress or tension ofthe strand, and operatively positioned with relation to said `menibers to Acorrect for such stress or tension changes by varying the meshing relation of'the teethpf said members, and also withdrawing the, strand laterally from between said members uponf cessation of machine demand and the consequentjceasing of yarn stress upon said guide arm.

32. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other vmachines comprising, in combination; a set'of rotary, toothed, interengaging members for feeding the strand between them, at :least one of. said membersbeing driven; a strand-receiving guide arm supported-for movement toand fro consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand tension; and means active upon strand'breakage to withdraw the strand from between said rotary members, said means including a pivoted guide and cam means to act upon and move the same in the event of strand breakage or other discontinuance.

33. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of rotary, ltoothed, interengaging members for feeding the strand between them, at least, one .of said members being driven; a strand-receivingguide--arm supported for movement to and fro' consequent upon comparatively slight lvariations in strand tension; and means active uponstrand breakage or other discontinuance to withdraw the strand from between said rotary members, said means including a cam 'said rotary members; and a shield for the laterally withdrawn'strand.

35. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising, in combination, a set of. `rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of said strand so long as it is engaged bysaid intermeshing teetlL'fat least oneof said members being driven: a trajndf'reiiinagtde-arxn sun-f ported for movementftoandfrg consequent upon comparatively s light'variationsfin'- strand telison for effecting, n(Without- 4I inneshing said teeth) a change in'tnesreptn or mesh of 'said teeth, whereby th? strandis, (50,11stalltly fed at 'a uniform tensionjo long asitis engaged byid. t teeth, and co-acting means operatively con: nected with said 'guide armand'moved .byStrand-a tension movements 4of said guide a'rlritv and operative connections between v'saidf co-acting" means and one of said; rotary," toothed membersjfor effecting (withontf unmeshing teeth) ha.. change in the dsethaf mesh. Qfgthe ,teeth of said rotary members 'consequent' upon 'movement oi Said er1-acting means; so ,mnvensate rorj the said variations in strand tensionsaid. op'erative connections. 'between ,th and k.o1-teuns, means and onefpf thefrtaryjoothedmembers" including meanst0= such rotary toothed' member for pendjiium movement with respect to another toothd member'ofsaid -set to change the depth of mesh'A pf theteetij;

36. Strand fee'decon'trolling'mchanismj com-` prising in combination, a set `of"rotary,ftoothed. interengaging members for feeding the between them, at least one' of, said ,members being driven; ahstrand receiyingwgi'lide' arm or part supported f o'r Anioyernent toward or from end faces of said members; "and governed' wholly' by, and responding freely and unrestrainedly to, all4 slight changes inz -the stress'ofthestrand, andmember connected'to` said guide arm for movement therewith and a second cam carried by also to withdrawl the l strand fromjbetweje'n said rotary members'npbn'cntire cessation of strand stress. i' i 37. Strand feed-controlling: 'mechanism comprising in combination.' a set. t: rotary, toothed. interengaging niembers'rorfeeding the strand between them, at least oneof said members being driven, a strandreceivin'g 'suidearmsuppoed for movement to `an'd fro consequent uponfand making unrestrained response to'all variations in strand tension: another movablestrandy receiving guide "a'supported adjacent to said rotary members and entirely vcontrolled' b 'y such movements of said4 guide"arms`so as to present anon-feeding strand atf'nds o'f theteth, of said members as deliveredby feeding stress' o'fusuch strands and ther"" td' enter" si'ch between the teeth, sov thtfitf'may beffen by' saidteeth.

38. Strand 'feed-controlling mechanism comi, prising in-combi'riatio,l a s'et f'jrtary.' interengaging nl er'ibeisff'- between them, at ieastfon'fof'iaid members fthe' strand by movements of .said

ported for movement .to and froconsequent upon and making unrestrained response to all variations in strand tension, ,including frequent,

slight tension changes; and another Amovable' strand-receiving guide arm supported adjacent' to said rotary toothed members and entirely con; trolled by such tension said guide arm so as to y between the teeth of said members by movement in a direction lengthwise of intermeshing teeth of said members.

controiled'movements of withdraw a strand from 39. Strand feed-controlling:mechanism 'com-l prising in combination, a set of rotary, toothed.

interengaging members f or feeding the strand between them, at least one of said members being driven, a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement to and fro consequentupon and making unrestrained response to all variations in strand tension, including frequent,

teeth.- a change in the depth ofV mesh thereof. so that the strand or strands is or are constantly fed at a uniform tension while engaged by saidy teeth, whereby said mechanism feeds the strand or strands completely independent of any un evenness of tension in the strand or strands delivered from the original source of supply of said strand or strands, and cooperating means for interrupting at intervals the feed of one or more of said strands between said gears by withdrawing said strand or strands from between said gears.

` 43. Mechanism for feeding a strand to textile machinery so as to control the tension thereof completely independent of the condition of tension of the strand as it issues from the original source of supply and having means to determine the feeding or non-feeding of the strand to such textile machinery, comprising a set of gears havslight tension changes; and another movable" strand-receiving guide arm supported adjacent to said rotary toothed members and entirely controlled by such strand tension movements of said iirst mentioned guide arm so as to insert a strand between and to withdraw said strand from between the teethof said members by movement in a direction lengthwise of intermeshing teeth of said members.

40. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising in combination. a set of rotary, toothed, interengaging members for feeding a strand or strands between them, at least one of said members being driven, a strand-receiving guide arm so operatively related to said feeding members and so supported for movement to and fro consequent upon, and making in operation unrestrained response to, all variations in strand tension as to correct for such variationsin strand tension by correspondingly varying the toothed relation of said members, and cooperating means entirely controlled guide arm for withdrawing such a feeding strand from between said rotary members upon cessation in strand tension. thereby discontinuing the feed of such withdrawn strand.

41. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of rotary. toothed, interengaging members for feeding a plurality of strands between them, at least one of said members being driven, a plurality of strand-receiving guide arms operatively related to said feeding members and supported for movement to and fro consequent upon, and making in operation unrestrained response to, all variations in strand tensionv of ing intermeshing teeth constituting strand-feeding surfaces, a strand-receiving guide arm supported for movement consequent upon comparatively slightl variations in strand-tension for ef fecting, without unmeshing saidteeth.' a change in the depth f mesh thereof, so that the strand is constantly fed at a uniform tension while engaged by said teeth, and cooperating means for withdrawing said strand from between such intermeshing teeth, thereby interrupting the feed of said strand to the said textile machinery.

44. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines, comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces. which entirely control the feed of the strand or strands so long as engaged by said'intermeshing teeth, at least one of said rotary members being driven, one of said rotary members having `pendulum--like supporting means mounted to respond entirely freely and unrestrainedly to the stress of the strand or strands,

whereby the rotary member carried by such sup.-

porting means may be swung with a pendulumlike motion toward and from the axis of another rotary member of said set, in accurate. free and unrestrained response to the stress of the strand or strands.

45. Strand feed-controlling mechanism` forl textile or other machines, comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces, which entirely control the feed o! the strands pertaining to said guide arms respectively. and cooperating means entirely controlled by movement of said guide arms respectively for withdrawing the respective feeding strand from between the corresponding rotary members upon cessation in strand tension of the corresponding strand. thereby discontinuing the feed of such withdrawn strand.

42. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines, comprising in combination, aiset of gears having intermeshing teeth constituting strand-feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of a strand or strands so long as the same is engaged by said intermeshing teeth, a pluralityof strand-receiving guide arms supported for movement consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strand-` tensicn for effecting, without unmeshing said strand or strands so long as engaged by said lntermeshing teeth, at least one of said rotary members being driven, a lever whereon one of said rotary members is supported. the pivot of said lever being substantially overthe said rotary member supported thereon, whereby the said rotary member and the said lever ai'e swingable in a pendulum-like motion toward and from the axis of another rotary member of said set, said lever being free to act in unrestrained response to the stress of the feeding strand.

46. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines, comprising in combination, a set ci"v rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces, which entirely control the feed of the strand or strands so long as engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said rotary members being driven, a lever whereon a nondriven member of said set is supported, said lever e toward and from the axis of another rotary `memberof said set, said lever being free to act inunrestrainedresponsetothestressofthe feeding strand.

47. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines, comprising in combination, a set of gears having -intermeshing teeth constituting strand-feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed ofv a strand'or strands so long as thesame is engaged by said inter- 'meshing teeth, a plurality of strand-receiving 5o. strand feed-controlling mechanism -ffor textile or other machines, comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth constituting their strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed ofv the strand or strands so long as engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said rotary members being driven, a lever whereon one of r, said rotary members is supported for pendulumlo like movement toward and from the axis of anguide arms supported` for movement consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strandtension for eecting, without unmeshing said teeth, a change in the depth of mesh thereof, so that the strand' or strands is or are constantly fed at a uniform tension while engaged by said teeth, whereby said mechanism feeds the strand or strands completely independent of any unevenness of tension in the strand or strands delivered from the original source of supply of said strand or strands, at least one of said gears having pendulum-like supporting means mounted to respond' entirely freely and unrestrainedly to the other rotary member of said set. the said lever having an arm extending above "the pivotal point thereof. and strand guiding means delicately responsive tothe stress of the feeding strand or stress of the strand or strands, whereby the rotary member carried by such supporting means may be swung with a pendulum-like motion toward and from the axis of another rotary member of said set, in accurate. free and unrestrained response to the stress of the strand or strands.

48. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines, comprising, in combination, a set of rotary members having strandfeeding surfaces which control the feed of said strand so long as it is engagedby the surfaces 0f said rotary members, at least one of said r0- .tary members being driven, a lever whereon one of said rotary members is supported, the pivot of said lever being substantially over the said rotary member supported thereon, whereby the said roguide arms supported for movement consequent upon comparatively slight variations in strandtension for effecting, without. unmeshing said teeth, a change in the depth of mesh thereof. so that the strand or strands is or are constantly i'ed at a uniform tension while engaged by said teeth, whereby said mechanism feeds the strand strands aiid positioned to act upon said lever arm above said pivot, thereby controlling the pendul lum motion of said lever. v

5l. Strand Afeed-controlling mechanism fo -textile and other machines, comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having intermeshing teeth consumi-.ing their' strand feeding surfaces and which entirely control the feed of the strand or strands so long as engaged by said intermeshing teeth, at least one of said rotary members being driven, a lever whereon one of said rotary members is supported for pendulum movement toward and from the axis of another;`

rotary member of said set, the pivot for said lever .Y

being substantially directly over the toothed rotary member carried thereby.

52.. Strand feed-controlling textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having engage'- able strand-feeding surfaces for feeding a strand between them when so engaged, at least one of said members being driven, a strand-receiving guide arm operatively related to said feeding members and movable to and fro wholly consequent upon, and-therefore making in operation cunrestrained' response to all variations in strand tension, and by such movements correcting for such variations in strand tension by correspondingly varying the relation of the strand-feeding surfaces of said members, and means cooperating with and entirely controlled by movement of textile or other machines, comprising in combisaid guide arm for withdrawing such a feeding strand Vfrom between said rotary members upon cessation in strand tension thereof, thereby discontinuing the -ieed of such withdrawn strand.

53. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or other machines comprising in combination, a set of rotary members having engageable strand-feeding surfaces for feeding a strand between them when so engaged, at least one of said members being driven. a strand-receiving guide arm operatively related to said feeding members and movable to and fro wholly conseor strands completely independent of any un- 6o evenness of tension in the strand orstrands delivered from the original source of Supply of said strand or strands, at least one of said gears having pendulum-like supporting means mounted to respond entirely freely and rmrestrainedly to the stress of the strand or strands, whereby the rotary member carried by such supporting means may be swung with a pendulum-like motion toward and from the axis of another rotary member of said set, in accurate, free and unrestrained response to the stress of the strand or strands, and cooperating means for interrupting the feed of the strand or strands between said gears by withdrawing said strand or strands from between said sears.

quent upon, and therefore making in,- operation unrestrained response to all variations in strand tension, and by such movements correcting for such variations in strand tension by correspondingly Avarying the relation of the strand-feeding surfaces of said members, and-another strandreceiving guide arm supported adjacent to said rotary members and cooperatively related to said first mentioned strand-receiving guide arm and moved thereby to present a strand at ends, of,I

said members and thereafter to enter such strand between said members so that it may be said members. Y

54. Strand feed-controlling mechanism i; 'for textile or other machines comprisingirr combi-' l nation, a set of rotary members having engage# able strand-feeding surfaces for feeding a -76 at mechanism for said members being driven, a strand-receiving guideA arm operatively related to said feeding members and movable to and fr o wholly consequent upon, and therefore making in operation unrestrained response to all 4variations in strand tension, and .b y such movements correctingL for such variations in strand tension by correspond-l ingly varying the relation of the strand-feeding surfaces of said members, .and another strandreceiving guide arm supported adjacent to said rotary members and cooperatively related to said u rst mentioned strand-receiving guidevarm and moved thereby to withdraw a strand from between said rotary members by movement in a direction widthwise said members.

55. Strand feed-controlling mechanism for textile or 4other machines comprising in combination, a set of rotary membersv having engageable strand-feeding surfaces for feeding a strand between them when so engaged, at least one of said members being driven, a strand-receiving guide arm operatively related to said feedingA first mentioned strand-receiving guide arm and moved thereby to move such latter guide arm to and froto insert a strand between, and to withdraw such strand from between, the feeding surfaces of said members by movement in a direction wdthwise said members. c l

' ROBERT I-I. LAWSON. 

